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Published: September 7th 2010
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Rapido y Fuerte!
Those were the instructions given to me by my Entranador de Boxeo a week or two ago for my first day on the bags,
and then the next night by the gay latin dance instructor in reference to salsa steps.
Something about the coincidence seemed extremely ironic to me. So far I've been boxing every week night with the exception of thursday when we have dance class. Both dancing and boxing are something that I've wanted to learn for a while. Now the convenience of the dancing class, free boxing gym near where I live as well as the incentive to emerse myself into my new environment have made it possible for me to maintain this routine so far.
However, What is most symbolic to me about the coincidence, is that I had no idea what "fuerte" (hard) meant the first day, before some miming by my coach. The second day it was no problem. This is why I believe that I can learn Spanish here, even though I've struggled in Spanish class back home, also Spanish is very interesting to learn about when it is relavent to your life.
As great as it would
be to fight like De la Hoya, or dance like Travolta, the main reason that I am in Costa Rica, instead of Thailand or the states, is to learn Spanish (very well.) And if I don't that will limit my experience here, and it will be very disapointing to come home still speaking spanglish.
The first ten days I learned a huge amount of Spanish, before i plateaued when I got most of the necessary words down. It's time to change my routine.
The First week was great. the second had some challenges:
1) My bank card aswell as my back up bank card does not work in Costa Rica. I had to walk around every bank in town flashing my American passport saying "mi targeta no trabajar aqui, una persona aqui habla ingleis?" no one does. The banks here are different. There is at least one security guard with a shot gun and bullet proof vest out side, one security guard with a metal detector, and a crowded bank of people who stare at gringos who try to speak Spanish. Anyway that was my first experience being a very uncomfortable gringo.
2) My brand new
camera broke, so once I but the imbio parque photos up that'll be it untill i figure out a how to get it fixed.
3) The lack of sleep caught up to me, and I was fighting of a cold that got to most of the rest of the house.
4) and of course I missed everybody, and things being easier.
However, alot of good things happened too.
1) Classes are good, especially my Environmental Policy class, which is now just me and the professor whose a cool guy. I've got a great opportunity to learn and develop a better understanding about the most important policy issue to me, and to write some potential grad school papers.
2) Hung out with alot of new people that I like gringos, and Ticos.
3) caught up on sleep
4) I discovered that the t.v. in my house will get football games. Leaving me with one less serious emotional adjustment of culture shock.
5) I quickly got into much better shape (still far from ready for for 4 plus rounds in the ring)
Some surprising differences hear.
1) people are much more straight
forward: Chuby to fat people are referred to as "gordo"
black's: negroes
Asian's from Korea to the Philippines: Chino's
White's: gringo's
indigenous looking people: Nico's
I've also been refered to as "Espagheti"
non of it with mean intentions, just a different cultural perspective about pointing out blatant physical traits.
2) people drive like maniacs if your crossing the street and a car's coming you best move, car's also drive ridiculuosly fast by each other on narrow beat up roads. It's scary
3) It seems to be socially acceptable for old men to touch young women and and say suggestive things. "Viaje verde" which means old guy that chases young girls. Verde refer's a green fruit and also young women. As well as nerds for some reason.
For the most part things have still been very good, I'm in a great place, and i'm still enjoying being out of my element.
Most everyone is friendly to me as a gringo, people are curious about me and often want to practise their english. with one funny exception.
I was at "Secreto's" a club by the parque central with a group of friends. Dancing with a
tica (Costa Rican girl) when I get a tap on my shoulder, and turn around to see my professor. Surprised I chat it up give him a hug, and go back to dancing, after a minute or to the Tica says "Alemán o gringo?" it takes me a second to remember that "Alemán" means German, then I reply "O Gringo." Then she kisses me on the cheek (the customary hello or goodbye in costa rica) and walks away.
Me and my friends thought it was pretty funny that German would have a better result, I guess sixty years of bad foreign policy out weighed the Holocaust in her mind. Though other then that and one time walking home from boxing, a guy on a motor cycle who I passed a block away yelled "Pinchin Gringo" at me. people in San Ramon have no problems with American's which I'm sure is far different from other parts of Latin America.
I'll put up some more photo's once I get some tarea done later today.
Happy High Holidays.
-Gabe
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anonymous
non-member comment
i like ur blog, can u tell me how the hell to put up photos?